U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica
Operation DEEP FREEZE

NSFA is made up of military personnel from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard. Military units come under the operational control of the Commander, Naval Support Force, Antarctica and are collectively called "Operation DEEP FREEZE." In addition to providing direct support for stations and facilities in Antarctica which support USAP, men and women of Operation DEEP FREEZE provide communication facilities, medical and dental care, vital weather information, air traffic control, chapel airport, radio, television, welfare and morale recreation services.

The Naval Antarctic Support Unit in Christchurch, New Zealand maintains a small complex for cargo and a personnel staging area for the USAP.

Detachment McMurdo, the Winter-over detachment, is responsible for providing communication, meteorological, air traffic control, electronic repair, and radio and television services for the small community of USAP personnel wintering-over in McMurdo Station, Antarctica. There are approximately 20 Sailors assigned to the Winter-over detachment.

Antarctic Development Squadron SIX (VXE-6), the nation's only aerial support squadron participating in annual exploration and research of Antarctica operates seven ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft on the continent. The squadron's mission is to provide airlift, aerial photo-mapping services, search and rescue operations, reconnaissance support for the scientists participating in the USAP and a wide-range of related transportation services throughout Antarctica.

Units of the U.S. Air Force provide C-141 Starlifter and C-5 Galaxy aircraft for additional transportation to Antarctica during the main-body deployment. These aircraft also resupply McMurdo and South Pole stations with fresh fruit, vegetables and other cargo.

U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers accommodate scientists who conduct experiments in the Ross Sea. The icebreakers also cut a channel through the frozen Ross Sea into McMurdo Sound. This channel, which is sometimes cut through ice eight to 10 feet thick, is 10 to 20 miles long. This allows the Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships access to McMurdo Station. Cargo and fuel are transported by a MSC cargo ship and a modern tanker. Both of these ships are off-loaded at Winter Quarters Bay, McMurdo Station. Ship off-load occurs at the end of the summer season to re-supply McMurdo Station for the upcoming winter and summer seasons.